Sprint to Drop 'Nextel' Name, Says No Lay-Offs Planned

Sprint has revealed via filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it is not planning to lay off any employees as part of its financing deal with Japan's Softbank. Softbank announced last month its intent to purchase a 70% stake in Sprint. Sprint does not expect that there will be any material changes for its existing employee base as the transaction takes place. Also in the SEC filings, Sprint said it intends to officially drop "Nextel" from its legal name (Sprint Nextel Corporation), and will use just "Sprint" (Sprint Corporation) moving forward. Sprint and Softbank expect the transaction to close by the middle of 2013.